How to Get the Most Out of Your Weathering Testing Program
Blog
Last Updated 2025
Q-Lab Testing Services Technical Director Mike Crewdson recently delivered a webinar on How to Get the Most out of Your Weathering Testing Program. A brief summary is below - visit our webinars page to view the full presentation slide content and recording. Below is a short summary.
Weathering Testing Basics
Weathering tests are critical when determining a product's outdoor durability during product. Whether you're assessing how a product holds up to sunlight, heat rain, or wind, understanding the fundamentals of weathering tests is crucial to getting reliable results and making smart decisions for your business.
There are two broad categories of weathering testing: natural outdoor, and accelerated laboratory testing. While both will give you fast & accurate results, Q-Lab recommends always performing outdoor tests as part of your program. At the end of the day, nothing beats the real thing!
Establishing a weathering testing program
First, it’s essential to set clear goals. Think about the test method, the size of your specimens, how long they’ll be exposed to testing, and how often you’ll want to evaluate them. Getting these details right from the start helps avoid costly mistakes down the road. Clear communication between you and your testing service provider is key to ensuring you're both on the same page.
Next consider your specimen selection and preparation. The size, material, and shape of your specimens can significantly affect the accuracy and cost of your test. Sticking to standard sizes is usually a smarter move, helping you keep costs down and ensuring reliable results. Plus, including a few replicate specimens can further boost the reliability of your outcomes, giving you more value for your investment.
Best Practices for Testing
Communication is key - be sure to stay in regular contact with your testing program. Regular check-ins throughout the testing process keep you informed and allow for adjustments if necessary. This keeps your testing aligned with your goals and ensures you're making decisions based on the most up-to-date info.
Flexibility is also a must. As projects evolve, you might need to tweak your testing parameters or add services to better match your needs.
Lastly, be sure to understand the financial aspects of testing. Ask for budget estimates instead of rigid quotes, so you have the flexibility to adjust your plans as testing progresses. By keeping these key factors in mind—clear communication, smart specimen prep, and flexibility—you can navigate weathering tests with confidence and ensure your materials perform their best in real-world conditions.
Q-Lab offers top-notch Testing Services to help ensure your materials perform their best under real-world conditions. Trust our team to help you every step of the way with reliable, accurate, and customizable weathering test solutions.
Ready to get your testing journey underway? Contact our team today!
Interested in seeing more content like this? Visit Q-Lab.com/Webinars to browse our full library of previously recorded webinars on a variety of weathering and corrosion topics.